$Unique_ID{BRK03212} $Pretitle{} $Title{mazindol} $Subject{Mazanor Wyeth Sanorex Sandoz Anorectic appetite suppressant mazindol nerve appetite control center brain altering} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. mazindol ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Mazanor (Wyeth) Sanorex (Sandoz) TYPE OF DRUG Anorectic (appetite suppressant) INGREDIENT mazindol DOSAGE FORM Tablets (1 mg and 2 mg) STORAGE Mazindol should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container. USES Mazindol is used as an appetite suppressant during the first few weeks of dieting, to help establish new eating habits. This medication is thought to relieve hunger by altering nerve impulses to the appetite control center in the brain. Its effectiveness lasts only for short periods (three to 12 weeks), however. TREATMENT Mazindol can be taken with a full glass of water one hour before meals (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, the last dose of this medication each day should be taken four to six hours before bedtime (for the 1 mg tablet) or ten to 14 hours before bedtime (for the 2-mg tablet). SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, false sense of well-being, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, nausea, nervousness, restlessness, stomach pain, sweating, tremors, unpleasant taste in the mouth, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the drug. Dry mouth can be relieved by sucking on ice chips or a piece of hard candy or by chewing sugarless gum. In order to prevent constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about blurred vision, changes in sexual desire, chest pain, difficulty in urinating, enlarged breasts (in both sexes), fever, hair loss, headaches, impotence, increased blood pressure, menstrual irregularities, mental depression, mood changes, mouth sores, muscle pains, palpitations, rash, sore throat, or unusual bleeding or bruising. INTERACTIONS Mazindol interacts with several other types of medications: 1. Use of this medication within 14 days of a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (such as isocarboxazid, pargyline, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) can result in high blood pressure and other side effects. 2. Barbiturate medications and phenothiazine tranquilizers (especially chlorpromazine) can antagonize (act against) the appetite-suppressant activity of this medication. 3. Mazindol can decrease the blood-pressure-lowering effects of antihypertensive medications (especially guanethidine) and may alter insulin and oral antidiabetic medication dosage requirements in diabetic patients. 4. The side effects of other central nervous system stimulants, such as caffeine, over-the-counter (nonprescription) appetite suppressants or sinus, cough, cold, asthma, and allergy preparations, may be increased by the concurrent use of this medication. Before starting to take mazindol, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to mazindol or other appetite suppressants (such as benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, diethylpropion, fenfluramine, phenmetrazine, and phentermine) or to epinephrine, norepinephrine, ephedrine, amphetamines, dextroamphetamine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, albuterol, metaproterenol, or terbutaline. * Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse or if you have ever had angina, diabetes mellitus, emotional disturbances, glaucoma, heart or cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease. * Mazindol can mask the symptoms of extreme fatigue and can cause dizziness or light-headedness. Your ability to perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery, may be decreased. Appropriate caution should, therefore, be taken. * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. * Mazindol is related to amphetamine and may be habit-forming when taken for long periods of time (both physical and psychological dependence can occur). Therefore, you should not increase the dosage of this medication or take it for longer than 12 weeks unless you first consult your doctor. It is also important that you not stop taking this medication abruptly. Fatigue, sleep disorders, mental depression, nausea or vomiting, or stomach cramps or pain can occur while your body adjusts to discontinuation of this medication. Your doctor may want to decrease the dosage gradually in order to prevent these side effects. * Mazindol should not be used in children less than 12 years of age. * There is no specific information about the use of appetite suppressants such as this medication in the elderly. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although studies in humans have not been conducted, it is known that some of the appetite suppressants cause side effects in the offspring of animals that receive large doses of these drugs during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.